Influence of Thinning on Carbon Balance in Natural Regeneration of Pinus pinaster in Portugal

Abstract

The maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is the main conifer species in Portugal, occurring mainly in the central and northern regions of the country. In addition to its environmental significance, it plays an important socio-economic role, supported by a robust forest sector. In the face of climate change driven by the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, forests play an essential role in mitigating these changes by storing large amounts of carbon in their biomass. This study assesses the impact of forest management, focusing on thinning, on carbon accumulation in naturally regenerating maritime pine forests in the municipality of Boticas, Portugal and compares scenarios with and without forest intervention. To simulate forest growth scenarios, the Modispinaster software is used, and through mathematical models adjusted for the species and input of initial field data, it generates scenarios of forest evolution regarding biomass and carbon accumulation. Additionally, it allows for the visualization of the forest’s dendrometric characteristics throughout the cycle, enabling the creation of the carbon balance and its analysis across multiple scenarios. The results demonstrate that management based on thinning increases carbon retention, reducing early mortality and promoting the growth of larger diameter trees. Although natural forests initially accumulate more carbon, the reduction in competition in managed forests allows for greater carbon accumulation from the 24th year onwards, reaching 178 tons at the end of the cycle, in contrast to 143 tons in unmanaged areas. The carbon balance result in the unmanaged (natural) forest was negative (−18 tons), while in the managed forest, the result was positive (54 tons). This supports the thesis that thinning, although more intense and less frequent than mortality events, is more effective than the absence of interventions. Thinned forests optimize the carbon balance in Pinus pinaster, improving long-term retention by reducing competition and mortality. Managed forests show a positive carbon balance, highlighting the importance of sustainable management in mitigating climate change and strengthening ecological resilience.